Cialdini identified the six principles through experimental studies, and by immersing himself in the world of what he called “compliance professionals” – salespeople, fund raisers, recruiters, advertisers, marketers, and so on. (These are people skilled in the art of convincing and influencing others.)

1. RECIPROCATION – “The Old Give and Take–and Take”

As humans, we generally aim to return favors, pay back debts, and treat others as they treat us. According to the idea of reciprocity, this can lead us to feel obliged to offer concessions or discounts to others if they have offered them to us. This is because we’re uncomfortable with feeling indebted to them.

For example, if a colleague helps you when you’re busy with a project, you might feel obliged to support her ideas for improving team processes. You might decide to buy more from a supplier if they have offered you an aggressive discount. Or, you might give money to a charity fundraiser who has given you a flower in the street.

2. COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY – “Hobgoblins of the Mind”

Cialdini says that we have a deep desire to be consistent. For this reason, once we’ve committed to something, we’re then more inclined to go through with it. For instance, you’d probably be more likely to support a colleague’s project proposal if you had shown interest when he first talked to you about his ideas.

3. SOCIAL PROOF – “Truths Are Us”

This principle relies on people’s sense of “safety in numbers.”

For example, we’re more likely to work late if others in our team are doing the same, put a tip in a jar if it already contains money, or eat in a restaurant if it’s busy. Here, we’re assuming that if lots of other people are doing something, then it must be OK.

We’re particularly susceptible to this principle when we’re feeling uncertain, and we’re even more likely to be influenced if the people we see seem to be similar to us. That’s why commercials often use moms, not celebrities, to advertise household products.

4. LIKING: “The Friendly Thief”

Cialdini says that we’re more likely to be influenced by people we like. Likability comes in many forms – people might be similar or familiar to us, they might give us compliments, or we may just simply trust them.

Companies that use sales agents from within the community employ this principle with huge success. People are more likely to buy from people like themselves, from friends, and from people they know and respect.

5. AUTHORITY: “Directed Deference”

We feel a sense of duty or obligation to people in positions of authority. This is why advertisers of pharmaceutical products employ doctors to front their campaigns, and why most of us will do most things that our manager requests.

Job titles, uniforms, and even accessories like cars or gadgets can lend an air of authority, and can persuade us to accept what these people say.

6. SCARCITY: “The Rule of the Few”

This principle says that things are more attractive when their availability is limited, or when we stand to lose the opportunity to acquire them on favorable terms.

For instance, we might buy something immediately if we’re told that it’s the last one, or that a special offer will soon expire.

Final Thoughts…

I share these principles and tools solely for the betterment of the society. It’s very tempting to use them to mislead or deceive people – for instance, to sell products at unfair prices, or to exert undue influence.

Make sure that you use them honestly – by being completely truthful, and by persuading people to do things that are good for them. If you persuade people to do things that are wrong for them, then this is manipulative, and it’s unethical. And it’s clearly wrong to cheat or lie about these things – in fact, this may be fraudulent.

It takes a lifetime to build a strong character, but only a second to lose it all.

Question: Of these six principles, which do you feel is the strongest? The weakest?

Paul Sohn is an organizational chiropractor, purpose weaver, and kingdom-minded catalyst. Paul currently serves at The Boeing Company as a LEAN practitioner, providing expertise in continuous improvement initiatives, building high-performing teams and processes to create effective organizations. Paul also serves as an organizational consultant and Board Director at the Portland Leadership Foundation. He is writing his forthcoming book on how to live intentionally as a twenty-something. Paul received a Bachelor of Commerce degree at University of British Columbia in 2010. Above all, Paul’s vision is to turn the world upside down by equipping, connecting, and transforming emerging Christian leaders and organizations.

http://www.chandlercrawford.com/ Chandler Crawford

Wow, excellent post, Paul. The video is incredibly engaging. There are examples and principals within it I can use today. Thanks!

http://www.paulsohn.org/ Paul Sohn

Absolutely, sure thing Chandler. Irrespective of our vocation, these are principles all of us can leverage to fulfill our vision in lives. Thanks for reading brother.

Mike Lyles

As always, your articles are inspiring and great to read. I really like the quote “we might buy something immediately if we’re told that it’s the last one, or that a special offer will soon expire.”. It’s so true. I used to hear “people will buy ANYTHING that is ‘ONE PER CUSTOMER ONLY'”. When something seems special are scarce, people will navigate to it. Keep in touch Paul!

About Paul

Hi, I'm Paul Sohn. I'm a Korean-Canadian/American. I am known as an Organization Development (OD) Consultant, Executive Coach, and Leadership Blogger. I equip, enable, and empower Christian leaders rise to the top. #saltandlight

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